Even when tensions in the Middle East peaked ιν March and jet fuel prices spiked, US airliners remained positive about travel volume in the upcoming summer season, including booking to European destinations such as Greece. They did not cut down on flights.
Many of the routes connecting the US to Greece are seasonal. This year, they even started earlier. And, judging by the demand and the actual arrivals, airliners’ optimism was justified.
According to Athens International Airport data obtained by Kathimerini, some 700,000 travelers passed through Greece’s main airport in the first seven months of the year, 6% more than in the same period in 2025.
This development confirms the US market’s position as a growth point for Greek tourism, at a time when overall arrivals have leveled off. Athens remains the main point of entry for US tourists, whereas many Europeans travel directly to other destinations around the country.
Typical US tourists stay in Athens for a couple of days before heading off to popular islands, such as Mykonos and Santorini. In recent years, the city of Hania, on the western edge of the island of Crete, has greatly gained in popularity.
